See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 22, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Mount Pleasant, SC (2026)
Mount Pleasant is one of the fastest-growing towns in South Carolina, located just across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge from downtown Charleston, with a median home price around $850,000 that reflects its desirable coastal location. While the town does not operate its own down payment assistance program, buyers here benefit from key state programs that work even at higher price points. The Palmetto Home Advantage program is particularly valuable for Mount Pleasant buyers because it has no sales price limit and provides up to 4% or 5% of the loan amount in forgivable down payment assistance, with a statewide income limit of $137,500. The Palmetto Heroes Program offers $10,000 in forgivable DPA for qualifying public service professionals. The Charleston Trident Urban League provides homebuyer education and grant assistance in the tri-county area, and East Cooper Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homes specifically in the Mount Pleasant and East Cooper community. Given the higher price points, stacking the Palmetto Home Advantage with other available programs can help buyers bridge the gap on their down payment.
City Programs in Mount Pleasant
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ameris Choice Down Payment Assistance Program | Grant | Up to $7,500 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $7,500
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in South Carolina
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHLBA Community Partners Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+ | Grant | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| Palmetto Heroes Program | Forgivable Loan | $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance | Yes | View → |
| Palmetto Home Advantage | Forgivable Loan | Up to 4% of the first mortgage loan amount | No | View → |
| SC Housing Homebuyer Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 4% of the first mortgage loan amount
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance
- First-time only:
- Yes
Federal Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHA Loans | Government-Insured Mortgage | Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026) | No | View → |
| Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD) | Government Property Sale Program | 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes | Yes | View → |
| Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HUD $100 Down Program | FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase | Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs. | No | View → |
| USDA Rural Development Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value | No | View → |
| VA Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase
- Amount:
- Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
Nonprofit Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston Trident Urban League First-Time Homebuyer Program | Grant | Down payment and closing cost assistance (amount varies based on funding availability) | Yes | View → |
| East Cooper Habitat for Humanity Homeowner Program | Zero-Interest Loan | No-interest mortgage with homes sold at affordable prices below market value | No | View → |
| Founders Federal Credit Union First-Time Homebuyer Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Finance up to $350,000 with only $1,000 minimum in the transaction; no PMI required | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Down payment and closing cost assistance (amount varies based on funding availability)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- No-interest mortgage with homes sold at affordable prices below market value
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Finance up to $350,000 with only $1,000 minimum in the transaction; no PMI required
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. At Mount Pleasant's higher price points, the Palmetto Home Advantage program is your strongest option because it has no sales price limit. Income must be at or below $137,500 statewide. The SC Housing Homebuyer Program has a purchase price limit of $325,000, which excludes most Mount Pleasant homes.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Contact the Charleston Trident Urban League (CTUL) at (843) 769-8173 to register for their monthly First-Time Home Buyers workshop, which satisfies SC Housing's education requirement. CTUL also provides debt reduction counseling and financial literacy training.
Step 3: Get pre-approved through an SC Housing participating lender. Visit the SC Housing website to find approved lenders who can combine your first mortgage with forgivable DPA from the Palmetto Home Advantage program (up to 4-5% of the loan amount) or the Palmetto Heroes Program ($10,000 for public service workers).
Step 4: Explore East Cooper Habitat for Humanity. For buyers who qualify based on income (typically 30-80% AMI) and housing need, East Cooper Habitat offers no-interest mortgages on homes built in the Mount Pleasant and East Cooper area. Contact them at (843) 881-2600 or information@eastcooperhabitat.org.
Step 5: Check the Ameris Choice Down Payment Assistance Program. This program provides up to $7,500 for first-time buyers in designated affordable housing community development areas in Charleston County. Contact Ameris Bank for eligibility details specific to Mount Pleasant addresses.
Step 6: Find a home and submit your application. Work with your lender and real estate agent. For Palmetto Home Advantage, there is no price cap, but keep in mind the income limit of $137,500. Allow 30-60 days for program processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Mount Pleasant?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
Can I really use down payment assistance on a home over $500,000?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Are there affordable housing options in Mount Pleasant for lower-income buyers?+−
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